CH 41

41 – Sure (2)

[Physis's POV]

At Adilun’s recommendation, I decided to stay in Rodenov for the time being.

When I told my father about it, he readily told me to stay well and come back when I want.

But the original promise of probation would still remain the same as before.

I wondered if he had completely relieved his worries by looking at my recent action.

Rodenov also did not show any objection.

Adilun told me to stay in Rodenov, and since I had won an overwhelming victory in the great duel, the people of Rodenov didn’t hate me now.

No, rather, the knights and some maids were looking at me with favors.

Life in Rodenov was passable. There were no problems, nothing special...

I just trained with the knights at the gymnasium every morning, and as soon as the training was over, I just hung around with Adilun when she was practicing magic or when she was reading in the library.

She asked me questions from time to time, and I answered her according to my subjective nature.

There were times when Adilun smiled with satisfaction, and there were times when she puffed out her cheeks in displeasure.

Today when I was sparring and chatting with Sir Lucas, Mina, a maid with light blonde hair who assists Adilun, came up to me.

“Sir Physis.”

“What is going on?”

“My lady is calling for you.”

“Adilun. Where is she?”

“She is in the study. I think she wants to talk about something today.”

“I will go right away.”

“Alright.”

She bowed her head toward me, and followed me, stepping behind me as I headed toward the study.

“Sir Physis. Are you comfortable living in Rodenov?”

“Yes, I'm very comfortable here. I like this cold weather.”

“Yes?”

Mina tilted her head as if she was puzzled by my words.

“Why, did you think I will not like it?”

“… …Yes. Since you lived in the warm Ortaire, I wondered if you would prefer that climate.”

“I like the warm climate too. I like it but… … If you’re breathing the cold wind in cold weather, your lungs will get cold and you’ll feel refreshed. And that cold refreshing feeling is indescribable.”

“If you tell her that, my lady, she will really like it. Hehe. Do you know that Sir, even though you were hanging out with my lady, you never said anything yourself, and always only answered her words.”

“Did I?”

“Yes. If I am to guess… …Perhaps the young lady would like to hear Sir Physis talk about himself. It doesn’t need to be anything grandiose. Just what you like, what kind of weather you like… … Even a small thing like this will please my lady.”

“Right. I will remember that. Thank you, Mina.”

“I’m glad I was helpful.”

As soon as the words were finished, Mina knocked on the door of the study and said to Adilun.

“Miss. Sir Physis is here.”

“Come on in.”

“Then, Sir. I have something else to do, so I’ll go. May you and miss have a good time.”

The fair-haired, extremely respectful lady-in-waiting for her master opened the door for me and bowed her head.

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“Have you finished your training?”

“Yes. By the way, what did you call me for?”

“Because of this.”

Adilun showed me the unsealed letter with a dark face.

“A Letter? What letter is it?”

“I heard that the young nobles of the north are having a separate meeting this time. I don’t know why they’re trying to gather… … Seeing as the proper purpose was not written down, it seems that they are planning to hold a social gathering for the first time in a while. This is the invitation.”

“Social gathering… … Are you planning to go?”

“I don’t think I want to go. But, Rodenov is the representative of the northern nobility. If the successor doesn’t go, there will be rumors going around behind the scenes. So… … .”

“Were you thinking of asking me to go with you?”

“Yes.”

Adilun nodded meekly.

“From now on, you will have to live in the north, and if you become the son-in-law of Rodenov, you will have to run into them too.”

“Then there is no need to worry. I will go with you.”

As soon as I gave the confirmation, Adilun’s expression brightened for a moment. But then it got dark again, and I could guess why.

Northern nobility. I didn't know what kind of people they were because I hadn't met them in person, but… … First of all, there were many people who kept Adilun in check in the novel.

Behind her back, they would gossip about her. That was why as soon as she saw the letter, she must have been worried about it.

Just the fact that she had to face those who were not kind to her must be a burden for her.

I feel sorry for that, So I said to her involuntarily.

“Wait, would you like to walk?”

“Yes? Ah yes. I just wanted to get some fresh air too.”

“Then let’s go.”

She put the letter back on the desk and got up.

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“How is life in Rodenov?”

The same question that Mina had just asked came out of her mo. My answer, of course, was bound to be the same as then.

“Fine. It wasn’t particularly difficult to adapt to, and the people of Rodenov treated me kindly after the great duel.”

“That’s fortunate. Come to think of it, I’ve heard the knights say that your skills are so great that their skills improve just by sparring with you…”

“It’s an honor if they think so.”

“Even Sir Lucas didn’t hold back his praise.”

“Certainly Sir Lucas seemed to be a good man. Originally, when a person is defeated, there will always be some bitterness left behind in one way or another, but I couldn’t see any such bitterness in him.”

“Yes. The fact that he was able to reach the level he is now stems from that character. The attitude of not dwelling on defeat, and willing to learn even a little from those who are superior to him… … As a result, Sir Lucas was able to become the most outstanding knight in Rodenov. He is the pride of Rodenov.”

“Exactly…”

A cold wind blew in an instant, and Adirun’s hair was disheveled.

“Oh… …The wind is strong. Come to think of it, aren’t you uncomfortable because of the weather?”

Because of the wind, she suddenly asked about the weather. Perhaps, she was thinking the same thing as Mina earlier. 

Remembering Mina I did not hold back either.

“No. Rather good. After training in the morning, when I’m out in the cold air… … I feel refreshed and my lungs feel so alive because of the cold. Ortaire is a warm area, so it was quite hot even if I trained in the morning, but it was nice because it wasn’t like that in Rodenov.”

“Aha… …I guess you hate the heat?”

“Hot or cold, if I had to choose which cold I prefer, I would choose the cold one.”

“If I ask, yes. Cold is better. Sometimes when my head hurts or when I’m in the cold wind, there are many times when my thoughts are organized. Of course, a blizzard is not pleasant.”

“But. When there is a snowstorm, all sorts of things happen.”

By the time the trivial stories continued, and her mood was relieved to some extent, I asked her about things related to the Northern nobles.

“Ah, Adilun. I have a question about the social gathering, can I ask it?”

“Yes. Ask anything.”

“Where is the social gathering held this time?”

“The place where the social gathering is held is the Devaton family. It’s a family that has quite a few strong soldiers. It is a family that is always in a position to fight monsters.”

“Devaton… … Could you tell me about the family that is coming to this social gathering? I think that’s how we’ll be able to respond when we meet.”

“Well… …Then let’s go to the study first and finish the story there? Because I think the explanation will be quite long.”

“Yes.”

“Positive attitude, nice to see.”

Saying that, Adilun touched the horn on her head with a satisfied expression. Maybe… …That must be a habit of hers; it must be something she does when something satisfying happens.

It was so cute that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hahahaha.”

“Well? What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s pretty cute how you’re fiddling with the horns.”

“Ah?”

She momentarily lowered her hand. Her face seemed to have turned red.

“Ah, this. T-that.”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to answer. I think it’s a habit that can’t be easily changed. But Adilun. I have a question for you.”

“Yes?”

“Please don't think I'm making fun or something. And tell me if it's bad but I just wanna ask that... Isn’t that horn heavy? They seems to be somewhat inconvenient.”

“Ah yes. It’s not that heavy. And it’s not particularly uncomfortable. Well, at least, it wasn’t until that pillows got stuck in horns when I slept, and there were times when my clothes got caught in horns and it was a headache… …But I’m used to it, so it’s okay.”

“Aha… … . By any chance, if it’s really not rude, can I touch it? After seeing Princess Lobelia touch it in the past, I wanted to touch it at least once.”

Isn’t that a question people usually have? The psychology of wanting to touch something unique.

“Uh, um… … that.”

For some reason, she seemed quite troubled.

“Okay sigh, it’s okay sigh. It doesn’t wear out anyway.”